Day 71: I Am Not A Noble.
Holy Era 6102, Month of the Water Serpent, 23rd day.
Weather: Cloudy

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In the morning, when I opened my eyes, I saw that my brother was sleeping next to me!!
And so I quickly kicked him out of the tent.
Hah… This is the worst way to wake up.
Outside, Ms. Noa was preparing our breakfast.
…He must have snuck in while she was busy… One could not let their guard down.

Once we finished eating, we wasted no time in making our way to the mountain range.
My brother continued to be the carriage driver.
I’ll show you how to control the reins! He said excitedly, as if anyone was going to watch him.
Uh, just don’t get into any accidents, alright?

And so we traveled like that for some time, and then my brother suddenly stopped the carriage.
It was just a little before midday. And we were in the forest in front of the mountain range.
Thinking this strange, I looked ahead of us, and saw that there were several men blocking the road ahead.
They looked at us with smiles and vulgar grins as they waved their weapons. Clearly, they were bandits…
…What terrible luck.

My brother sighed and slowly got down from the carriage. And then he walked towards the men.
Upon seeing this, Ms. Noa frantically tried to go to support him, but I held her back.
He should have no trouble dealing with them… A moment later, we heard several low screams echo through the forest.
A few minutes passed, and my brother returned to the carriage with a calm expression. And then he sat in the driver’s seat and we continued on our journey as if nothing had happened.
But when I turned to look at the road, I saw the men on the ground, covered in blood.
…They really did have terrible luck.

I looked away, and my eyes met Ms. Noa’s.
She was staring at me, as if to demand an explanation…
Hah… I suppose I have no choice. Even though I would rather not, I will tell you.
…Apparently, I am also unlucky.

My older brother had been a knight in the Knights Order. Though, he had left them a few years ago, in order to help with my father’s work.
He had been so accomplished that he was given charge of a whole battalion shortly after joining.
A battalion. In other words, anywhere between three hundred and a thousand men. And they worked under him.
He had been quite famous back then. The youngest battalion commander…
And since he was the one to teach me, I am quite capable with handling a sword.

After saying this much, Ms. Noa looked at me with a stunned expression.
It’s hard to imagine, judging by his appearance, isn’t it? Now, he is just a pretty weirdo.
Huh? That’s not the part that surprises you? Then…what?
Ah, if my brother is a knight, then I must be a noble? That…?

Indeed, most knights of the order were sons of nobles…
But, uh, I am not a noble. Definitely not… Never.
I declared, and Ms. Noa did not pry any further…

Tonight, we set up camp near a lake that was just outside of the forest.
My brother seemed to be enjoying himself, but Ms. Noa and I now felt awkward.
I was not really sure where we stood now…
I had known from the moment that I accepted my brother’s request, that questions would arise about my origins…
But now that it has happened, it is quite troublesome.
I barely even had the strength to push away my brother when he tried to hug me…

I could barely taste tonight’s dinner…
…But there was no point in worrying about things, so I will sleep early tonight.
We have an early morning tomorrow…

Today’s earnings and expenses:
None
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Balance: 59 silver, 45 bronze
30 cat coins

(ﾉ_-;)Hah… I really should not have accepted this quest.

Next Chapter

Senpai boukenshasan ga tasukete kureru no de kitto daijoubu nano desu! Shinmai boukensha no nikki-chou